Friday Performance Pick – 322

orpheus-poynter

Liszt, Orpheus The story of Orpheus is tailor-made for musical adaptation. In the Greek myth, Orpheus charms all things with his music-making. And the tale of his descent into the underworld to rescue Eurydice is filled with drama and pathos. The arts have turned enthusiastically … Read more

Friday Performance Pick – 320

mahler

Mahler, Urlicht Des Knaben Wunderhorn is a collection of German folk poems compiled and edited by Achim von Arnim and Clemens Brentano. First published in 1805, it became a popular source of texts for German Romantic composers as the prevailing aesthetic shifted away from the … Read more

Friday Performance Pick – 318

ysaye

Ysaye, Sonata No. 5, 2nd mov. “Danse Rustique” Eugène-Auguste Ysaye (1858-1931) became the most famous violinist of his day. He spent much of his career teaching at the Brussels Conservatory in his native Belgium and had a major influence on violin technique. He was close … Read more

Friday Performance Pick – 317

gottschalk

Gottschalk, Souvenirs d’Andalousie During his lifetime, Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) was acknowledged as the preeminent American piano virtuoso and composer of music for piano. Born in New Orleans to a Jewish father and Creole mother, he absorbed numerous musical influences during his upbringing. He went … Read more

Friday Performance Pick – 315

messiaen

Messaien, Quartet for the End of Time (V. Louange à l’Éternité de Jésus) French-born Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) is one of the more eclectic composers of the 20th century. He incorporated serialism, complex rhythmic modes, Japanese and Indonesian influences, and birdsongs, but retained a strong sense … Read more

Friday Performance Pick – 313

tosti

Tosti, Tristezza The Neopolitan Song (Canzone napoletana) flourished from the mid 19th to early 20th century. While songs of this genre tended to be newly composed, they drew heavily on the folk traditions of Naples and the surrounding area. Highly melodic and passionate, they were … Read more